Can humans live on Snake Island?

A few humans used to live on the island to operate a lighthouse, but that ended in the 1920s when the lighthouse became automated. Now the only visitors to Snake Island are a once-a-year visit by the Brazilian Navy to check on the lighthouse, and a very few select scientists that have a permit to study the snakes.



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Queimada Grande is closed to the public in order to protect both people and the snake population; access is available only to the Brazilian Navy and selected researchers vetted by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation, the Brazilian federal conservation unit.

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“The snakes can swim but if they got to the mainland they wouldn't be a risk because they can't hibernate anywhere there,” he said.

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And the danger on the island comes in the form of the golden lancehead pit vipers – one of the deadliest snakes in the world. The lanceheads can grow to be over a foot-and-a-half long and it's estimated that there are between 2,000 and 4,000 of them on Snake Island.

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Three recognised camping areas exist on Snake Island: Swashway, Gulf and Huts.

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Hawaii has no native snakes. But, unfortunately, that doesn't mean it's snake-free. The islands have seen their fair share of snake species thanks to travel, stowaways, and illegal smuggling. However, Hawaii is far from overrun, in part, thanks to the fact that it's illegal to own snakes.

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